FOREIGN AFFAIRS—WESTERN SAHARA

Senator Ludlam, pursuant to notice of motion not objected to as a formal motion, moved general business notice of motion no. 1206—That the Senate—

(a) notes that the question of Western Sahara remains unresolved;

(b) expresses its strong support for the right to self-determination of the Sahrawi people, in accordance with the relevant United Nations (UN) resolutions;

(c) expresses its deep concern at the continued violations of human rights in Western Sahara; and

(d) calls on the Government to:

(i) play an active and positive role at the UN Security Council to encourage a speedy and just solution to the issue of Western Sahara, including the release of all Sahrawi political prisoners,

(ii) do all it can to encourage the protection of the fundamental rights of the people of Western Sahara, including freedom of association, freedom of expression and the right to demonstrate, and

(iii) urge the UN to fulfil its responsibility towards the right of the people of Western Sahara to self-determination and include human rights monitoring in the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara.